Hilo (Big Island), Hawaii: Hey Ricky ... I Love Lucy's!

Lucy’s Taqueria

194 Kilauea Avenue

Hilo, HI 96720

Phone number (808) 315-8246

Website: lucystaqueria.com

Prices: $$$$

I Love Lucy's! Solid Mexican food, based on the tacos, chips and margaritas, and a great value in a chain of islands that has no conscience when it comes to overcharging tourists and, worse yet, locals.

They first brought us a basket of chips and salsa, the chips made in house and warm, a good sign and good start, and the salsas were awesome, a rarity at most Mexican restaurants. We also ordered a large guacamole ($5.30) and Lucy's Basic Nachos ($6.60). The guacamole was excellent and well seasoned with none of the fillers (tomatoes, onion, etc.) you normally get at most places and the nacho chips topped with pinto beans, cilantro, diced onion, and a load of melted jack cheese. My wife got an orchata ($2.75) and I a margarita blended with salt ($4.50), both coming in pint size glasses and quite tasty for the price.

I had the Taqueria Tacos Plate ($9.65), coming with three 4" double wrapped street tacos (ground beef, carnitas, and el pastor - one each) with the traditional onion and cilantro on top and rice and beans on the side. The tortillas were soft, but grilled just enough to contain the contents and provide a little crispiness, and the meats all extremely flavorful. The rice and beans lacked seasoning, but I was so full that I could not eat much of them anyway. My wife got the Taqueria Tacos ala carte ($6.40), coming with three carnitas tacos similar to my own, so I will not embellish further.

I want to return and try their enchiladas, the true test of a real Mexican restaurant being their tacos and enchiladas. My only gripes are the fact that they only bring one basket of chips if eating in and getting table service and that they do not offer carne asada (steak) on the taqueria tacos. The basket of chips came with a cup of delicious salsa inside the basket, so we really only got half of a basket and additional baskets are apparently $4 according to the menu. As far as the steak is concerned, I asked if I could get carne asada on my tacos, but was told that I could not even though I would have been willing to pay a premium if need be. As we say in the Air Force - "flexibility is the key to Air Power".

The food is great, the service a bit less than perfect, and the prices very fair, but those two minor flaws kept Lucy's from receiving my highest rating and a spot on my "WALL OF FAME".

CombatCritic Gives Lucy's Taqueria 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

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Title: Hey Ricky ... I Love Lucy's!

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